Mark 5:11-20 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Mark 5:11-20. Let’s go!
Mark 5:11-13 (NIV)
11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside.
12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.”
13 He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.
On verses 11-13: Notice a couple things here. First, notice the authority of Jesus. When Jesus confronted the demons, the demons could only beg for mercy and plead that they take refuge in the pigs instead of the man they had possessed. Jesus is far greater than evil spirits, both in power and in authority. So if you have Jesus in your heart, you don’t need to be afraid of evil spirits; evil spirits need to be afraid of you, not because you are anything, but because the Name Above All Names lives in you.
Second, notice what the evil spirits did to the pigs once they went into them: they had them killed. Just as the evil spirits led the man they possessed to want to harm himself and live among the tombs, just as they led the pigs to commit mass suicide, so evil spirits have only one agenda: to kill, steal and destroy the life that God has given. So don’t entertain an evil spirit. They’re not there to entertain you; they’re out to destroy you. But praise God that Jesus, the Lord of life and the name above every name, is with you.
Mark 5:14-17 (NIV)
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.
15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man–and told about the pigs as well.
17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.
On verses 14-17: Jesus had done what the town could not do: he tamed the man who had been demon-possessed, not by putting chains on him but by setting him free. Yet the town didn’t want Jesus there. Why? Because the deliverance of this one demon-possessed man came at the cost of losing two thousand pigs. The people loved their money (which was in livestock) more than they loved their neighbours. How about you and me? Are we willing to spend money to help our neighbours to know Jesus and to get the help they need? Or would we prefer to hoard our money and say to hell with our neighbours?
Also, consider what would have happened if the people didn’t plead for Jesus to leave, but instead welcomed him. I believe this: Jesus would have blessed that town and the owner of that herd of pigs and done even more miraculous things. But because the people didn’t trust that Jesus had their best in mind, they told him to go away. What can we learn from this? When we push Jesus away rather than welcoming Jesus and waiting on Jesus, we forfeit God’s presence as well as the greater blessings that God has for us.
Mark 5:18-20 (NIV)
18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.
19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
On verses 18-20: Earlier the demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and Jesus said yes. Now in verse 18 the formerly demon-possessed man begs Jesus to let him go with Jesus, and Jesus says no. Remember this: when God says yes to you, it doesn’t mean you’re any good; that’s just God showing you grace. And when God says no to you, it’s not because He doesn’t love you; it’s because He has a better plan.
It’s understandable why Jesus would tell the man that he had set free to stay in the town instead of going with Jesus. It’s because Jesus was not welcome in the town, but the man was. So Jesus strategically keeps the man there to be a witness for Jesus’ kingdom. Similarly, maybe your company, your school, your home is not one that welcomes Jesus, but you’re there. Here’s believing that God has strategically placed you in that environment, like an undercover witness for Christ, so that Christ’s mission can still move forward through you.
Finally remember what a witness does. A witness does not argue the case. A witness does not play the judge. A witness simply tells others what they experienced. May you not be afraid to be a witness for Jesus in the place where God has you now.
Jesus, I praise You because You are the Name above every name and all authority is in Your hands. I welcome You in the very place where I find myself today, and pray I would be a good witness for You. Let Your will be done. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
